Rough Trade boss: ‘It would be fantastic to have a store in Manchester’

Geoff Travis speaks about future of record shops following demise of HMV

Rough Trade label boss Geoff Travis has revealed that he would like to open a record store in Manchester.

Despite the demise of HMV, which last week went into administration and is actively seeking a buyer to guarantee their future, Rough Trade have bucked the financial downturn and reported an eight per cent increase in revenue at their two London shops in 2012. Speaking in a new interview, Travis revealed that, despite not having an active involvement in the running of Rough Trade’s retail arm any more, he would be keen to see the brand name extend out of London and into other parts of Britain.

Speaking to The Independent about HMV, Travis said: “There was no celebration from us. We knew they were in trouble for a long time but they were a very important part of selling records in the UK for labels including Rough Trade. We need record stores in the world. We don’t want to live our lives online and be in our bedrooms 24 hours a day.”

Asked if he can imagine Rough Trade opening more stores to fill the gap left by HMV, Travis replied: “There is a need for something, we feel. It would be great to do that in some other UK towns. It would be fantastic to have a store in Manchester and more around the UK. It’s possible we could open more, if people want that. But it’s better if people who have local knowledge in their own community do that. The people who run independent shops, they provide a meeting place, it’s a space to go and hear talks or see bands play for free.”

“You can go there without spending any money. You can browse in a safe environment, whatever takes your fancy. It’s a great experience to go there and buy a drink and eat some cake.”

Travis first made his name running the Rough Trade store off Ladbroke Grove before going on to start the record label of the same name, signing The Smiths, The Libertines, The Strokes and, more recently, Palma Violets.